It has been brought to my attention that there is some concern among the Northern Virginia Tea Party group that I have come to Richmond and voted to raise Taxes. This could not be farther from the truth and the few individuals who are spreading these mis-truths are either mis-informed or intentionally trying to mis-lead.
I am a fiscal conservative that believes in smaller government, lower taxes, and a strong 10th Amendment…and my record supports this. I have voted NO on every tax bill that was sent to Finance Sub #1 (which I serve) that required an Up or Down Vote. Sub #1 looks at all tax increases and all “incentives” and being a Freshman on that Sub is a big deal. This is one of the reason’s I was sent to Richmond…to vote NO on taxes and reduce the size and spending of the State Government…and I take that responsibility very seriously.
A few weeks back, there was some confusion on a blog (Nova Town Hall) about a “yea” vote that I took on HB971.
HB 971 – The vote on the committee was:
YEAS–Orrock, Lohr, Greason, Pollard, Englin, Abbott–6.
NAYS–Cline, Cole, Gear, Marshall, R.G.–4.
ABSTENTIONS–0.
NOT VOTING–Johnson–1
HB 971 is a comprehensive transportation bill that includes tax increases. Unfortunately, the author of the blog that started this “rumor” did not tell his readers that the motion on the table for the sub-committee to consider was to “carry the bill over” until 2011. My “yea” vote was to “carry the bill over” (which essentially means Kill the Bill) and was NOT a vote for higher taxes. If the motion on the table was to “report” the Bill, I would have voted “no.”
It is crucial to understand what the committee was voting on before an accurate conclusion can be drawn.
I hope this helps, but if anyone has any questions, please contact me directly at 804-698-1032 or DelTGreason@house.virginia.gov I would be happy to speak to about this vote.
